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<br /> <br />PC Membership Report <br />Feb 5, 2007 <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />In 1999, with the election of Mayor Coughlin, the reappointment procedures were revised to <br />discontinue automatic reappointments for sitting commission members. Mayor Coughlin felt <br />that automatic renewals provided little chance for new ideas, thoughts or opinions being <br />brought to the commission and served only to perpetuate what was figuratively referred to as <br />an old boys club. From that point on, all sitting City commission members have been asked <br />to reapply for their positions if they desired to continue serving. The Council has asked <br />whether preference should be granted for sitting members if the number of applications <br />exceed the number of available seats (as was the case in 2007.) The Council has also <br />asked whether we should automatically advertise for potential openings even if <br />commissioners desire to remain on the commission. The way I see it, both cannot occur. If <br />preference is given to existing commission members, it would seem disingenuous to <br />advertise for the openings that are not really available (the recent example being the <br />Economic Development Commission.) <br /> <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br /> <br />Regarding the membership level of the Planning Commission, my recommendation is that <br />the membership remain at seven and that any applicants present or future who are not <br />selected to serve on the Planning Commission be notified of other advisory body service <br />opportunities that may be available at the time. <br /> <br />Regarding automatic reappointments or preferential treatment for sitting members, my <br />personal opinion is that the Council stay with the process in place presently which requires <br />sitting members to reapply for their seat and posting notice for the potential openings. Given <br />the frequency of resignations on our commissions, there will always be opportunities for <br />residents to become involved without having to compromise the continuity and level of <br />experience by replacing long-serving commission members. <br /> <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted, <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />________________________ <br />James Ericson <br />Community Development Director <br />